Appraising the Future

I am chasing my tail at the moment. Work is so busy having taken on an extra job to help with the spiralling increase in costs involved with growing teenagers. I still manage to rise early and work on my writing which seems to be prolific and productive but never gets further than my computer.

I was asked recently how I saw myself in three years’ time.

Just think in three years’ time I may be about to have a book due to be published; but I really need to do something about sending it to an agent NOW. I might have developed my magazine and people will be reading my monthly mini blog and following my journey. I could be a grandmother as one of my oldest friends has just become but I hope not yet when the children are just starting out on their adult lives. I can always hope for that elusive win on the lottery although it may be prudent to not count on this.

Number 1 Son this week chased his own dream by travelling by train half way across the country to attend an interview with his preferred university choice. He took with him his portfolio of works to date and a sketch pad of ideas. Suitably impressed they offered him a place conditional on getting his grades. It is up to him now to get those grades.

Middle son also took a huge step towards his dream as he attended an interview for an apprenticeship in a kitchen working towards his goal of becoming a chef and running his own restaurant. He too was offered the place conditionally. If he realises the work will be long hours, hard work and in the beginning very monotonous where he will grow to hate peeling vegetables. He will however learn the basics of the trade and on completing the apprenticeship have options available to him. They have offered him a day each weekend from now until August when he and they can make the final commitment. It is up to him to wow them with his culinary prowess.

Mini Son is too young to have the burden of future upon his young shoulders and is enjoying school, football and his friendships.

So where do I see myself in three years’ time?

Well if I was honest I see myself surrounded by my best sellers in my luxury office where I would go and work creatively all day producing a fabulous new best seller each month. Attending nationwide literary festivals and judging competitions in my own right. My name however is not JK so I need to revise my expectations I think.

I am the driver in this dream and if I want the book published I need an agent. To that end I have researched and found a list of agents who may take my novel. I have read what they require and how to submit my manuscript. I need to be working on my self-confidence which is a huge barrier to any self-improvement. I know now that I need to finish that synopsis, tidy up the spelling and grammar and press the send button……

Too scary!

Or in three years’ time, I could have the same conversation and still be hoping to start the journey to publishing.

Where did I save that synopsis?

Writing

My brother may have given me a dose of unexpected self-confidence when for my recent birthday he presented me with a self-published (by him) copy of my first years’ worth of blogs. It does not come under the genre of novel but Tiggy Hayes has a book out; albeit a single copy currently. It is mine and my work and could be all the confidence I need to press that button. Dawn Chorus Volume 1, 2011 by Tiggy Hayes. Currently I do not know if there is a way to get a copy I think it would be print on demand but will update this blog if I can get any details.